Endoscope Treatment Tool Insertion Part Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes have treatment tool insertion parts that are difficult to clean, disinfect, and sterilize, and are prone to breakage due to complex structures, leading to increased component costs and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design includes a treatment tool insertion part with an attachment and removal mechanism featuring an insertion tube and body, supported by a support part with an engaging member, allowing easy detachment and reattachment for cleaning and sterilization, and reducing the number of components to lower manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the treatment tool insertion part is made removable for easy cleaning and sterilization, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional attachment and removal mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment tool insertion part is divided into separate components: a removable treatment tool insertion tube and a base end part that remains attached to the operating part. This segmentation allows the insertion tube to be easily removed for cleaning and sterilization while keeping the overall structure manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion tube is designed to be inserted into and nested within the operating part's base end part. The insertion tube fits through an insertion hole in the support part and is held in place by an engagement structure, creating a nested configuration that allows easy attachment and removal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the treatment tool insertion part has a complex structure to ensure functionality, then adaptability is improved, but reliability decreases due to increased breakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the insertion part into a removable insertion tube and a fixed base end part, the design reduces the complexity of the overall structure. The insertion tube can be easily replaced if broken, while the base end part remains intact, improving reliability without sacrificing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion tube is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily disposed of and replaced when broken or contaminated beyond sterilization limits. This approach improves reliability by eliminating the risk of failure in the fixed base end part and reduces maintenance costs.
3Ease of repair
If the treatment tool insertion part is made removable for component replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion part is segmented into two main components: the insertion tube and the base end part. This segmentation allows for simple manufacturing of each component separately using standard machining processes, and the assembly is achieved through a straightforward engagement mechanism that minimizes assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration of the insertion tube within the base end part allows for compact assembly without requiring complex fastening mechanisms. The engagement structure uses simple geometric features that are easy to manufacture and assemble, keeping production costs low.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes a flexible tube having a curved part at a tip and an endoscope main body part operating a curving operation on the curved part for work, the endoscope having a treatment tool insertion part for inserting a treatment tool projecting from the endoscope main body part and for use in a treatment of a subject into a treatment tool insertion tube arranged in the curved part along an axial direction, wherein the treatment tool insertion part includes an attachment and removal part having an insertion tube and a body, the insertion tube having one end inserted in the endoscope main body part to be arranged to communicate to the treatment tool insertion tube and another end placed outside the endoscope main body part, and the body holding and fixing the insertion tube to the endoscope main body part.